Publisher's Description

Lanie took out her journal and dated it April 12, 1928. She started the habit of writing down everything that happened to her when she was no more than eight years old, and now she had six journals completely full. She thought about the prize at school, almost prayed to win, but somehow she could not. "God," she finally said, "Ill do my best, and if youll help me, thats all I ask." Fourteen-year-old Lanie Belle Freeman of Fairhope, Arkansas, has high hopes for her future. Happy on the five-acre family homeplace, she dreams of going to college and becoming a writer. And with her father launching a new business and her mother expecting the fifth baby, the bright days of an early Southern spring seem to herald expansive new beginnings for the Freeman family. But her mother isnt as strong as she should be, and its going to take time for the business to pay back the mortgage. When unexpected tragedy strikes, it is left to Lanie to keep the family together and hold on to their home. In a world shaken by the Great Depression, it is faith in God and love in a tightly knit family that will help Lanie and her siblings overcome the odds and create a future that promises the fulfillment of love. The Homeplace offers a warmhearted and inspiring saga of a courageous young woman who holds her family together through the Depression era.

Author Bio

Gilbert Morris is one of todays best-known Christian novelists, specializing in historical fiction. His best-selling works include Edge of Honor (winner of a Christy Award in 2001), Jacobs Way, The Spider Catcher, the House of Winslow series, the Appomattox series, and The Wakefield Saga. He lives in Gulf Shores, Alabama with his wife, Johnnie.

This book was good.It was entertaining and kept me wondering what was going to happen next.The main character,Lanie,was developed wonderfully and the other characters were portrayed very realistically.I especially admire Lanie's courage and sacrifice while keeping the family together as the Great Depression ravages the country.And her family never lost faith in what God could do for them.I also LOVED Aunt Kezia.She was sooo funny!I was really disappointed,though,that this book contained some inappropriate descriptions and sensuality.It kind of spoiled the book.I don't plan to read the rest of the books in the series because of this,though I still enjoyed The Homeplace very much.

Today, I looked out the window and I was enthralled by the beauty of the "snowy white blanket of snow". ...Too bad my writing skills aren't quite as impressive as that snowy snow. I agree with the reviewer who described that particular phrase as "unforgivable". Let me share my opinion of this book. I think that Morris definitely does have a talent for telling a story; however, there were some definite problems with this book. Fortunately, I didn't find many more problems related to the aforementioned (though were I looking for them I might have!), but I just couldn't suspend my skepticism over his portrayal of Lanie, the main character. I dare say that Maeva, a supporting character, was more developed than our heroine herself! I like to read about a protagonist who is realistic, well-rounded, and flawed (like a REAL person would be). Instead, I found myself being introduced to a completely flat, unrealistically perfect fourteen-year-old girl who never experiences a moment of immaturity, selfishness, or any other kind of fault. It's strange how her brothers and sisters all have their moments of weakness, but Lanie always ALWAYS does the right thing. Oh, sure, she has her moments where she is distraught, downtrodden, and at a loss for what to do, but we never see her human nature show in the least. I was very disappointed in the one-dimensional way she was developed. In addition, some parts were confusing and required re-reading if they were to be understood. Aside from these flaws, I did enjoy the book, and will probably read the next ones, because the story, if not riveting, was interesting. If you think you would enjoy a book like this, you probably will - but be prepared to suffer some disappointment.

This was an excellent story. My sister gave me this book and once I started reading it, I couldnt put it down. It goes to show us of the differences in people in this world and how some give alot without expecting much in return, just putting it all in God's hands. Thank you Gilbert Morris for such a wonderful book. Can't wait for #2.. God bless.